Back Pain

Whiplash is the common name given to a soft tissue injury in the neck, such as the ligament or tendons. Your doctor may also otherwise use the more specific terms of cervical sprain or hyperextension injury.

In the US, there is a substantial number of people who visits their doctor with complaints of back pain as a result of either sports or age. And even as we speak, the number is rising exponentially. In fact, experts reveal that in time to come, 4 out of every 5 adult will experience this form of condition, in one way or another, at some point in their lives.

The cause of back pain can be hard to determine and the degree of pain is, sometimes, completely unrelated to the extent of damage to tissues or muscles in the body. Although the cause is different for people of different ages living different lifestyles, it can be divided, very simply, in to the following types:

1. It can be caused by injury, disturbance, sprain or irritation caused to the large nerve roots in the lower back.
2. Severe backache can be caused by injury to the small nerves at the low back
3. A deep ache is felt at the back when there’s strain on the erector spinae
4. One of the leading causes of backache is injury to the bones, ligaments or joints in the vicinity
5. injury or dislocation of the intervertebral disc

It may sound strange but even physicians, sometimes, have a tough time identifying the main cause of this physical condition because there’s no known anatomical injury that is apparent at the point of the physical examination. Even so, the pain or sprain is very real and often excruciating….and it needs to be treated. Other familiar causes are conditions like the common muscle strain, muscle sprain, degenerative disc disease or even lumbar herniated disc.

Regardless of how painful the condition is, most back pain complaints will resolve itself in time. Meaning, a vast majority of people with this problem may not need to go for corrective surgery and the condition will correct itself with rest, relaxation, massage and therapy alone. Other conservative types of treatments known for backache are osteopathic or chiropractic treatments, herbal therapy, physical therapy, or mild medication prescribed by their medical practitioner. However, in order to know for sure that corrective surgery is needed or not, the complainant would have to go for a physical examination as soon as they can, to prevent further injury or aggravation to the area right above the posterior.

For example, if the back pain is accompanied with sudden bowel or bladder incontinence. A combination of bladder/bowel incontinence and a disturbing aching feeling around the lower back could be an indication of a condition called the ‘cauda equine syndrome’. Complainant should also take immediate action if the throbbing is accompanied with consistent weakness in the legs and acute abdominal pain.

Backache is not a kind of condition that restricts itself to the age of the patient.

Disc Herniation is a very common type of back pain experienced by patients who are below the age of 60. This type of back pain stretches the ache from the lower back to the buttocks, and the pain is, sometimes, accompanied by numbness. Disc Herniation gets worse when the patient remains standing or in motion for a long period of time.

Degenerative disc disease is also commonly experienced by the younger generation. This sort of problem usually surfaces when the patient moves hastily or twisting the midriff swiftly. The Degenerative disc disease can become chronic, leading to long-time medical assistance.

For the older generation, it seems that the kind of health problem that is most commonly complained about is the kind of throbbing ache that is worse in the morning and in the evening. This is called osteoarthritis. Most times, there is stiffness felt in the lower back and the patient is not in any kind of pain, but during the evening and mornings, the level of pain escalates.

The best advice anyone can give you if you’re experiencing soreness behind the waist is to visit your doctor for a physical examination as soon as you possibly can. Don’t take your chances because backache can be chronic and can be a lifelong health problem.

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